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NASA Tanks: Not Just Heavy Metal Any More
universetoday.com ^ | July 9, 2013 | Elizabeth Howell on

Posted on 07/09/2013 12:41:40 PM PDT by BenLurkin

The agency just finished testing on a composite propellant tank that holds cryogenics, or super-chilled gases that are commonly used as rocket fuel (such as for the space shuttle). The agency brought the test tank down to -423 degrees Fahrenheit, put it through a few cycles and ramped up the internal pressure.

Composites are lighter material than the traditional metals that are used to hold these gases. NASA is excitedly throwing out descriptors such as “game-changing” when it talks about this, and has some reason to do so: composites are lighter than metals.

The light weight of composite tanks makes them lighter to lift off the ground. This reduces the costs of launch, which in turn reduces the overall cost of a mission. That will make penny-counters at the agency happier as the agency battles for funding dollars in fiscal 2014 and beyond.

(Excerpt) Read more at universetoday.com ...


TOPICS: Travel
KEYWORDS: nasa; spaceexploration
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1 posted on 07/09/2013 12:41:40 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

These are great for the first 100 miles, after that we really really need nuclear rockets....

Colonize the solar system, leave the commies on earth and lob a few rocks at them from time to time for laughs...


2 posted on 07/09/2013 12:44:48 PM PDT by GraceG
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To: BenLurkin
The light weight of composite tanks makes them lighter to lift off the ground. This reduces the costs of launch, which in turn reduces the overall cost of a mission.

So what does that have to do with NASA's main mission of funneling money to Moslem terrorists?

3 posted on 07/09/2013 12:45:18 PM PDT by DakotaGator (Weep for the lost Republic! And keep your powder dry!!)
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To: GraceG

Weight makes a huge difference for lifting to orbit and speed is what we need for long distance travel.

Get mars down to a few weeks or even days and its ours.


4 posted on 07/09/2013 12:47:33 PM PDT by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: BenLurkin
The lighter material is much easier to launch. These tanks were launched onto the moon by an IED, and they're still intact.
5 posted on 07/09/2013 12:50:12 PM PDT by DannyTN
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To: BenLurkin

So, does this mean that NASA can unmothball the X-33 project, that died because of failures with the early generation composite tanks?
Lockheed Martin still has the largely finished craft, tooling, etc n deep storage (next to the Ark of the Covenant)


6 posted on 07/09/2013 12:51:21 PM PDT by tanknetter
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To: cripplecreek

Weight makes a huge difference for lifting to orbit and speed is what we need for long distance travel.

Get mars down to a few weeks or even days and its ours.

Instead of making another space station we need to build a “Nuclear Tug” in orbit with a nuclear rocket that would allow it to fly between the first couople of planets. Then it could take multiple probes to mars with personelle on board to maintain them.

Use a Bigelow module for the habitat, and a Nuclear Thorium Reactor for the power source along with Ion thrusters for constant acceleration and a nuclear rocket for breaking to and from orbits of the planets.

We could probably build this thing for what it costs to keep the ISS in it’s perpetual orbit.


7 posted on 07/09/2013 12:57:25 PM PDT by GraceG
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To: BenLurkin

The government already has an anti-gravity drive that we obtained from reverse engineering the alien technology captured at Roswell.

They’re keeping all their space ships garaged on the far side of the moon so the Russians and Chinese won’t see them.

They go far too fast for human endurance, but we have Peruvian pilots who are descended from the people of Atlantis and thus biogically superior.

I know this for a fact, because I saw it on a late-night special on the Discovery channel.


8 posted on 07/09/2013 12:58:20 PM PDT by Jack Hammer (American)
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To: GraceG

I really like the Bigelow model. Very versatile and can be used in space or as a shelter on the surface.


9 posted on 07/09/2013 1:05:56 PM PDT by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: cripplecreek

I think we as conservatives need to start thinking in terms of planetary colonization, because staying on earth will eventually just devolve into a socialist “Utopia” which means a certain Dystopia.....

We gotta give future generations a place to escape to should the united states fall....


10 posted on 07/09/2013 1:11:01 PM PDT by GraceG
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To: Jack Hammer

I know this for a fact, because I saw it on a late-night special on the Discovery channel.

Funny I heard that on Kook 2 Kook....


11 posted on 07/09/2013 1:13:06 PM PDT by GraceG
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To: BenLurkin

Also, lighter fuel tanks for hydrogen powered automobiles.


12 posted on 07/09/2013 1:15:06 PM PDT by reg45 (Barack 0bama: Implementing class warfare by having no class.)
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To: tanknetter

Doubtful. because it makes too much sense.


13 posted on 07/09/2013 1:16:29 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Inside every liberal and WOD defender is a totalitarian screaming to get out.)
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To: BenLurkin

This can lower costs even more if the composites can be cast or othetwise formed without having to weld many parts together.


14 posted on 07/09/2013 1:27:39 PM PDT by Vince Ferrer
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To: GraceG
leave the commies on earth and lob a few rocks at them from time to time for laughs...

I like the Earth, I want to stay here. Make those retreads go build the colonies. As a bonus, when they are done I doubt they will still be commies. Call it a growth experience.

15 posted on 07/09/2013 1:30:03 PM PDT by lafroste
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To: tanknetter

I suspect that the next generation of the craft is already in use.


16 posted on 07/09/2013 1:47:22 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

This will reduce the price-per-pound to orbit. Thanks BenLurkin.


17 posted on 07/09/2013 6:32:45 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (McCain or Romney would have been worse, if you're a dumb ass.)
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To: DakotaGator
So what does that have to do with NASA's main mission of funneling money to Moslem terrorists?

I thought their main mission was to make the mozlims feel good about themselves.

The funneling money and weapons to them was an afterthought. </sarc>
18 posted on 07/10/2013 2:47:02 AM PDT by TheOldLady
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To: Jack Hammer
I've met a few Peruvian pilots during my last abduction,
they seem like decent aliens.
19 posted on 07/10/2013 2:53:20 AM PDT by MaxMax (If you're not pissed off, you're not paying attention)
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To: MaxMax

I’ve heard from the guy on Ancient Aliens that the Peruvians are descendants of Atlantis, but, yes, they may be aliens; I don’t claim to be an expert. I just repeat what I’ve been told by the Discovery channel reporters.


20 posted on 07/10/2013 9:48:04 AM PDT by Jack Hammer (American)
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